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The Trials of Ezra 



BY 

WM. PERRY. 



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The Trials of Ezra 



By WM. PERRY 



Copyright 1920, Eldridge Entertainment House. 



PUBLISHED BY 

ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE, 
Franklin, Ohio, also Denver, Colo., 



Cast of Characters 



Ezra Bartee--A wealthy land-owner and community boss 

Jeremiah Sutcliflf — A follower of Ezra 

Luther Evington — A pro^essive, up-to-date citizen. 

A Youth — Distributing circulars 

Thomas Allman — A speaker at Evington's meeting 

Matilda Wharton — Neighborhood tattler 

Susie Clifton — Getting signatures to a petition 

Hennie Goodlake — Little old woman with squeaking voice 

Dorothy Rupert — A considerable talker 

Effie Brown — Brings startling news 

Nicodemus Bartee — Son of Ezra Bartee 

Judge — Holding court 

CJommonwealth Attorney 

Policeman 

A number of men and women 



OCI.D 56890 



'Ho I 



The Trials of Ezra 



ACT I. 

(Group of village gossipers (mem) seated on boxes, 
etc., discussing current events. They are dressed in work- 
ing style, whittling, etc. The leader, Ezra Bartee, is 
standing^ apparently much excited.) 

Ezra — Now, men, wtiat do you think of it? There is 
Cedrick Norman, without saying a word to ME went and 
sold his place to some furriner. No telling what sort of 
blood will be brought into our community. 

Jeremiah Sutoliff — (one of the group) I was sur- 
prised at Cedrick, myself, but I reckon he thought it was 
none of our business. 

Ezra — None of MY business. You remember when 
we organized our club and Cedrick was one, we agreed 
that none of us would sell our land outside our bunch. 

Jeremiah — Yes, but none of us could pay the price 
but you, and you own pretty near all the land hereabouts. 
I expect he thought you had enough. 

(Enter Luther Evingtoyi, a neatly dressed, middle- 
aged man.) 

Luther — Good atternoon, gentlemen, I presume all of 
you live around here, and probably you would like to know 
that I am the purchaser of the Cedrick Norman place. I 
am glad to be a citizen of Clinton, and my wife and I will 
be glad to cooperate with you in bringing about any re- 
forms you wish to promulgate here. I hope soon to get 
better acquainted with each of you, and will be glad to 
welcome you to my home. (Exit.) 



4 The Trials of Ezra ■ 

Ezra — There, I thought so. I didn't understand quite 
all he was talking about, but he said something about re- 
forming us. The nerve of this city guy, comin' to Clin- 
ton to stir up things, and his wife turned loase among our 
women, by gravey, what will happen? 

Jeremiah — Ezra, don't get so excited. If we jist pay 
no attention to his barkin' he'll git tired of Clinton and 
will soon be gone. 

Ezra — But, men, what I am thinkin* is, s'posin' he 
gits the ear of the Bakers, Glenns, Thompsons and their 
kinfolks, no telling what'll be to pay. If that crowd gits 
to reformin' there will be war in this town. Thank good- 
ness, we've got the majority and I own most of the acres 
'round here. Now, men, if you don't stick to me and fight 
that reformin' stuff, it won't be good for you. 

Men — (in chorus) We're with you, Ezra. 

(Enter Youth distributing circulars.) 

Ezra — What's this? (Reads circular.) "There will 
be a meeting at the school house tonight. Important mat- 
ters of community interest to be discussed. Everybody 
invited to attend." I'll be jiggered if somebody ain't nervy 
to order a meetin' without consultin' me. I'll v/ager it is 
some of that young furriner's doin's. You fellows hustle 
around and get all our men there, and we'll show that the 
majority of Clinton is agin this reformin' business. 
CURTAIN 

ACT II. 

(Stage should be arranged as a school room. When 
curtain rises the seats on right are occupied by males and 
females in sympathy with Luther Evington. On the left 
is Ezra Bartee and his followers. The latter group is made 
up of males only. They are less in nwm,ber than nmles on 
right. Luther and wife are seated back of stand, or table, 
facing audience. The seats might be arranged at an angle 
so the aiidience may get a fair view of the faces of the 
auditors. The people are chatting when Ezra enters. He 
looks over the people and says:) 



The Trials of Ezra 5 

Ezra — Ugh ! A petticoat meeting. 

(Luther raps table.) 

Luther— -The meeting is now called to order. 

Ezra — (juviping to feet) May I ask who took it on 
himself to get up this meetin'? 

Luther- -We will proceed. 

Ezra — (on his feet again, interrupting) I will let 
you all go on with the proceedin's, but I will say now, I've 
got enough men here to vote down anything that conflicts 
with the ways of Clinton. 

Chorus of voices on Ezra's side of the house — We're 
with you, Ezra. 

Luther — This meeting is called to consider some very 
important matters relative to this community. We will 
be glad to hear from Thomas Allman. 

Thomas Allman — ^Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle- 
men: Today is the day of progress. We are living at a 
time when everyone is called upon to use his influence in 
bettering conditions of his fellow-men. The responsibil- 
ity we bear to the com-munity is such that calls upon each 
individual to do his best. If reforms and improvements 
are needed, make them without delay. (Ezra and colt 
leagues squirming.) If the school building is not ade- 
quate, build one suitable to the needs, secure the best 
teachers possible and give our children what is due them 
— a good education. (Applause.) If the roads are im- 
passable in winter, see that they are improved. (Ap- 
plause.) Make the homes attractive by labor-saving de- 
vices. Employ farm and home demonstration agents, and 
have the boys and girls join the agricultural clubs to 
teach the youngsters how to do better things in better 
ways than they have been used to. Maybe they can teach 
us older folks something worth while. (Applause.) These 
are some of the things we can do towards making our 
community the best on the map. (Much applause, lohUa 
Ezra's crowd seems much perturbed.) 



^ The Trials of Ezra 

Ezra — (jumping to feet) I would like to say some- 
thing to you all. I knev,' this meetin' would cause trouble. 
Sich throwin* off on Clinton I never seen before. Talkin' 
about a schoolhouse, I was eddicated in this one. Hit's 
good enough for anybody. Why. I tore up a plum good 
skirt of my wife's to chink up the cracks 'cause the cool 
air gave the children cricks in their necks. Yes, I take 
pride in this school house. I'm agin buildin' a nev.'-fang- 
led school house, (Turning to his colleagues, by motions 
with his hands, tries to induce them to applause. The re- 
sponse is feeble. These roads I have trod from my youth 
and I think them good enough for my children. If those 
new-fashioned roads is made the ortermobiles will pester 
the life out of Clinton with their honking. They will 
scare (rising voice ) our cows milkless, they will frighten 
our chickens eggless, they will run over our children. 
(Agam motions for applause.) Now, the worst thing 
comes when he wants to waste our good money on those 
demonstration men and wimen. As owner of these acres 
'round about here, I don't need no sich advice, and Clinton 
don't Avant it nuther. (Looks for applause.) I tell you, 
men and wimen, I'm agin it, I'm agin it. I move to ad- 
journ. 

Voice on his side — I second it. 

Ezra — All in favor of it, say "I." 

All on Ezra's side — I. 

Ezra — All agin it say "No." 

Luther's Side — No. (All voting, including females.) 

Luther — The "No's" have it. 

Ezra — The wimen's votes don't count. 

Luther— -I'm holding this meeting; the women's vote 
does count. 

Ezra — Ugh! The first thing you know, the wimen 
will be votin' in the election for janitor of the jail, an' 
President of the United States. 

Luther — Before adjourning I have a few remarks to 
make. It is to be regretted that our community is divid- 
ed on the issues before us. Shall we throw off the hour;- 



The THals of Ezra 7 

ties of civilization and return to heathenism? We must 
move one way or the other. We cannot stand still. Those 
opposing progress are laying a curse upon their children. 
(One by one Ezra's followers sneak out while Luther is 
speaking. This effect can be made very good by practice. 
Ezra, seated on front seat with head hung doiun, occasion- 
ally shakes it in disapproval. He is not aware that his 
followers are leaving.) It means that by opposing prog- 
ress, our children will grow disgusted with what should 
be heaven on earth. Ignorance breeds crime, and it will 
be a sad commentary on Clinton to tind it a curse rather 
than a blessing to our country. We will break the shack- 
les, we will advance, and crush forever those opposing 
forces against things that are good. (Prolonged applause) 

Ezra — (raises head, glances around and finds his 
side deserted, hastily fumbling for his hat, he shouts :j 
You'll be sorry for this. (Darts out.) 

(The company stands and sings a verse of a selected 
song.) 

CURTAIN. 



ACT III. 

• (A company of women, dressed in country style, are 
engaged in a seiuing party. When curtain rises, one of 
the party, Matilda Wharton, is speaking.) 

Matilda — Here it is, tAVO years have passed, and Clin- 
ton is still in a stew 'cause the furriner, Luther Evington, 
an' his wife keeps on wranglint to put up a new school 
'ouse an' to fix the roads so his ortermobile can run along 
without gittin' muddy. He did manage to git that coun- 
ty agent and the woman agent in the county, but Ezra 
Bartee with his money worked both of 'em out when 
their year was up. 

(Enter Susie Clifton, with paper and pencil in hand)' 

Susie — Here, folks, I want you to sign this paper 

right no'v. It was drawed up by Ezra. He is goin' to 

take it to court tomorrer and prove to the judge that the 



8 The Trials of Ezra 

biggest majority of Clinton folks don't want no bond is- 
sue to put up what Luther Evington calls a high class 
school 'ouse here. 

Hennie Goodlake — (ivith squeaking voice) Wonder 
how high Luther wants to build it. I think this school 
'ouse is high enough. 

Susie — Hurry up and sign it. Ezra says he can take 
the names and git a conjunction from the court agin it. 

Dorothy R^ipert — I guess you mean injunction. 

Susie — I knew it was some soi*t of junction. Here's 
the pencil; write down your names. (Each in turn urrites 
her name on the paper. In the\ process, they make a bung- 
ling scene. One drops the paper, another the pencil, an(l\ 
has to crawl under a table to get it, etc.) 

Susie — Well, so long, folks, I must be goin' to git the 
rest of Clinton to put their names on it, (Exit.) 

Matilda — Ezra seems deader set ag'in the doin' of 
Luther an' his wife and his bunch than ever. 

Dorothy — He never has forgiven the bringin' in of 
that county agent nigh on to two years ago. 

Hennie — I hain't lived hereabouts long. What was 
the matter with the agent? 

Dorothy — You see, Luther and his wife and some 
folks he got over, unbeknowing to Ezra, had the county 
spend a thousand dollars to help pay the wages of a man 
and woman to prattle 'round tellin' us about farmin' and 
stoppin' babies from cryin'. Well, they come to the scul 
house and talked to the children 'bout joinin' a corn club 
and cannin' club. Well, Ezra's son, Nicodemus, set tak- 
ing it all in. He was a mighty pirt boy. He spent a heap 
of time studyin' his books and a testament his aunt gave 
him that he always kept in his pocket. He always had a 
high notion, he did. He went home that night and asked 
his pa to let him join the corn club. Ezra, he got furious 
and set down his foot forever on sich notions. Well, hit 
broke Nicodemus's heart, and he never was the same aft- 
erwards. One day he was m.issin' from home, and from 



The Trials of Ezra 9 

that day to this no inklin' of him could be found. Ezra 
always had a hardness ag'in these reformin' notions, but 
since Nicodemus left, has declared he would bust up every 
new-fangled notion that Luther might make. 

Matilda — I don' believe so much in these doin's, but 
I think Ezra is goin' too fur. But it won't do no good to 
argue ag'in him. 

Enter Effie Brown.) 

Effle — Have you all heard that Luther Evington has 
called a meeting for tomorrow night? He arranged it 
when he heard Ezra would be away at court. I went and 
told Ezra, and he said he didn't care, because he is sure 
he will stop the school business. It's a secret, but Ezra 
says he is going to bust in on the meeting when he gets 
back, and have his fun. Ezra wants all the folks against 
these reformin' notions to be there and see him get their 
goat, as he calls it. 

Company — (in chorus) We'll be there, Effie. 

Effie — Be sure to get all the men folks to the meetin'. 

Matilda — Let's quit the sewing party, and go out and 
work up a houseful, because the more the merrier. 

CURTAIN. 



ACT IV. 

(Court room scene. The meeting room can be trans- 
formed into the court room by placing a box on table to 
constitute the jtidge's stand, a railing made of light strips 
can be put quickly into place. When curtain is raised, the 
judge is in place and court officials in their positions. A 
number of spectators are seated in court room. Ezra Bar-* 
tee enters with paper in hand, takes a seat vnth others. 
He is not in position to be readily seen by the prisoner.) 

Judge — Prisoner to the bar. (A young man, roughly 
clad, is placed on witness stand.) 

Policeman— T^his young man has been picked up as a 
vagrant and suspicious character. 



10 The Trials of Ezra 

Attorney — What's your name? 

Prisoner — Silas Hartman. 

Policeman — I believe that name is assumed. In 
searching him I found this book — a testament — bearing 
the name, Nicodemus Bartee. 

(Ezra leans forward, grasping seat in front of him.) 

Attorney — Come, now, tell me which is your right 
name. 

Prisoner — Nicodemus Bartee is my name. (Puts 
handkerchief to his eyes. ) 

Judge — I believe this is one of those unfortunate 
young men who has drifted from home, as many young 
men do. Nicodemus, have you any statement you would 
like to make? 

Nicodemus — Yes, sir. I will tell the truth about my- 
self. I lived in a wfialthy home in Clinton. I've always had 
an ambition to make something of my life. I studied na- 
ture; I studied every book I could get, and the world be- 
gan looking interesting to me. But my father was vio- 
lently opposed to all progressive movements. The break- 
ing point came when I made the simple request that I 
might join the boys' agricultural club just organized by a 
county agent. Probably I did wrong, but on being refused 
this, and seeing father working against all refonns, I saw 
nothing in life to look forward to. I left home, joined the 
circus, and got kicked out, and here I am a "bum," (Bur- 
ies head in. hands. ) ' 

CEzra leaps to his feet, rushes pell meU toward the 
prisoner. An officer grabs him by the coat, ivhich is' 
jerked of as he rushes forivard. He grasps the boy\ 
aroimd the neck. Everything is still, except for the sob- 
bing heard. Attr.rney gently relaxes Ezra's hold and 
straightens him up. Ezra noic somewhat composed, mo- 
tions that he ivishes to speak.) 

Ezra — Your Honor, I am the father of this boy. I 
caused all this trouble. All he said is true. I have been 
strong ag'in every reformin' notion got up by folks in my 
section. I have been holdin' back the wheels of progress. 



Th^ Trials of Ezra 11 

but sir, from this minit, my tracks is changed. I shall 
not hold back good things from my people, but will use 
my money and time in building up scul'ouses, churches, 
roads, an' other things for the good of the i)eople of Clin- 
ton. If I have to pay the salaiy of a county farm agent, 
an' woman agent too, myself, I will git them to help us 
along. T have in my hand a petition ag'in a scul'ouse in 
Clinton. Here it goes. (Tears it in half, throws on floor, 
and stamps with foot.) From now on, you can count on 
Ezra Bartee to be a friend of the good things for my 
county. I pray your Honor to turn loose my boy an' the 
home I will give him will tie him so close to his dad and 
old home that nothin' can part us any more. 

Jvdge — Mr. Bartee, your son is free. And young 
man, you have learned your lesson. Go ahead and make 
yourself a blessing to your home and community. 

Ezra — Thanks, your Honor, we must hurry to git to 
Clinton to a meetin' tonight. I must git there to tell the 
folks my heart is changed. 

CURTAIN. 



ACT V. 

(Ezra Bartee and son arrive at Clinton late in the ev- 
ening. They go to the meeting, the son dressed just as he 
tvas in court. Just os curtain rises, they walk in and take 
seats in rear.) 

Luther — (rises from seat) Ladies and gentlemen, 
now that our plans have been perfected for combating 
opposition, I will entertain a motion to adjourn. (Ezra 
jumps to feet to speak. Several voices cry, "down down." 
He persists.) 

Luther — We have heard enough from you in the past. 
Our ways are parted. Will someone make a motion to ad- 
journ? 

(Ezra rushes fonvard to speaker's stand. Luther inr- 
stinctively steps aside. Ezra's followers loudly applaud, 
while hisses and derision flow from Luther's side.) 



12 The Trials of Ezra 

Ezra-^( looking at Luther's side of the house.) Lis- 
ten! I am your friend tonight. Let me tell you 'bout it. 
(Silence reigns.) Ladies and gentlemen, I went from here 
for a dirty mission. I come back your friend. I see the 
wrong I have been doing you folks. I am sorry for all 
the harm I have done the neighborhood and 'specially for 
the hard thoughts and words ag'in Mr. Evington and the 
balance of you folks who have been tryin' to help to make 
our place a better place to live in. It is hard to change a 
man's bringin' up, but I tell you folks when I found my 
boy, Nicodemus, and there he is, settin' near the door 
('pointing at Nicodemus) down in the hole, 'cause of my 
hard-headedness ; and seein' him tried before the jedge, 
I went to see ag'in the scul'ouse, I got all busted up. I see 
my wrong, folks, and ast you to forgive me. Here, folks, 
is the price fhandini] Luther a roll) of the finest scul'ouse 
in the county. I will do all I kin to get county agents and 
everything needed for makin' our county a better place 
to live in. Clinton will be the best place in the world. 

Hemiie Goodlake — (loud squeaking voice) Glory, 
Glory, Hallelujah 1 

(Prolonged applause, handshaking, etc, as curtain 
falls.) 



CURTAIN 



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